Floor tool

ABSTRACT

A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface. The floor tool including a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air, an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source, and a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air. The floor tool further including a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface. During use, the or a substantial portion of the weight of the floor tool is borne/carried by the sealing member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/GB2015/052805, filed Sep. 28, 2015, which claimspriority to UK Patent Application No. 1417996.4, the entire contents ofwhich are all hereby incorporated by referenced herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning afloor surface and/or such an apparatus including the floor tool. Inparticular, this invention relates to an apparatus which utilises asource of suction to draw dirt and/or debris from a floor surface beingcleaned for storage in a dirt chamber or bag for emptying by a user.Such apparatus are typically known as “vacuum cleaners”.

The performance of vacuum cleaners is judged on a number of parameterswhich includes how efficient a cleaner is in extracting dirt/debris fora given suction power.

Known vacuum cleaners have a floor tool with a floor facing surfacewhich includes an inlet through which dirt/debris entrained air entersthe tool and flows towards the dirt chamber. The configuration of afloor tool can impact on suction air flow path and the amount ofdirt/debris which will be entrained in the air during operation of avacuum cleaner. It is desirable to provide a floor tool with anoptimised configuration which will improve the efficiency/performance ofa vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air;        and    -   a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,    -   which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface        and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of        air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a        floor surface,    -   wherein, during use, the or a substantial portion of the weight        of the floor tool is borne/carried by the sealing member.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provided a floor toolfor an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus includinga source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air;        and    -   a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,    -   which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface        and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of        air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a        floor surface,    -   wherein the sealing member provides a primary engagement or        primary support of the floor tool on the floor surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention we provide a floortool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatusincluding a source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air;        and    -   a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,    -   which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface        and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of        air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a        floor surface,    -   wherein the sealing member spaces the floor facing inlet from        the floor surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a floor toolfor an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus includinga source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air;        and    -   a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,    -   which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface        and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of        air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a        floor surface,    -   wherein the lateral inlets and/or portions of the passage        adjacent thereto are free of substantial restrictions to the        flow of air therethrough and/or therepast.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source        having a cross-sectional area A;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air,        wherein one or both of the lateral inlets has a cross-sectional        area B; and    -   wherein the ratio of area A to area B (A:B) is in the range of        12:1 and 8:1.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air; and    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source via        a conduit having a longitudinal axis,    -   wherein the longitudinal axis of the conduit is inclined at an        angle of between 45 and 55 degrees with respect to a plane        containing the floor facing inlet.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention we provide a floor toolfor an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus includinga source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;        and    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface,        wherein the passage includes a wall which includes the outlet        aperture;    -   wherein a surface area of the wall and/or a cross-sectional area        of the floor facing inlet is between 3800 mm² and 4800 mm².

According to an eighth aspect of the invention we provide a floor toolfor an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus includinga source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;        and    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface,        wherein the passage includes a wall which includes the outlet        aperture,    -   wherein a volume of the passage is between 46000 mm³ and 50000        mm³.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface; and    -   a conduit in communication with the outlet aperture, wherein    -   the conduit includes a portion adjacent the outlet aperture and        extending upwardly therefrom, and    -   wherein the upwardly extending portion has a substantially        constant cross-sectional area.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface; and    -   a conduit in communication with the outlet aperture, wherein the        conduit includes a portion adjacent the outlet aperture and        extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the upwardly extending        portion has a substantially constant cross-sectional area.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention we provide a floor toolfor an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus includinga source of suction, the floor tool including:

-   -   a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving        dirty air;    -   an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source via        a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the conduit        provides a releasable connection to the apparatus;    -   a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which        passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and        terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air;        and    -   wherein the floor tool is formed as a one piece component or        unitary component.

Further features of the first to eleventh aspects of the invention areset out in the dependent claims thereto which are appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a floor tool for connection with an apparatusfor cleaning a floor surface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the floor tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the floor tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the floor tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the floor tool of FIG. 1 when not in use;

FIG. 6a is a side view of the floor tool of FIG. 1 in a first stateduring use;

FIG. 6b is a side view of the floor tool of FIG. 1 in a second stateduring use;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the floor tool of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section front view of the floor tool of FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures, these show an embodiment of a floor tool10 embodying various aspects of the invention. The floor tool 10 is foran apparatus (not shown) for cleaning a floor surface. The apparatusincludes a source of suction and a wand/hose for connection with thefloor tool 10 to provide suction thereto. The user would move the floortool 10 over a floor surface S to be cleaned by pushing and pulling thewand back and forth.

In some embodiments the floor tool may include a housing 13. The floortool 10 includes a floor facing surface 14 having a floor facing inlet16 for receiving dirty air and an outlet aperture 18. The floor tool 10has a conduit 12 having a longitudinal axis C which communicates withthe outlet aperture 18 and provides communication therefrom to thesuction source. The floor tool 10 has a further conduit 38 incommunication with the conduit 12. The outlet aperture 18 is connectableto a wand or hose of an apparatus to provide a flow path from thesuction source to the inlet 16.

The floor facing surface 14 includes a passage 20 in fluid communicationwith the outlet aperture 18. The passage 20 extends laterally across thefloor facing surface 14 and terminates at respective lateral inlets 23a, 23 b for receiving dirty air. The floor facing surface 14 includes aplanar portion 21 a and a planar portion 21 b which are positionedforwardly and rearwardly of the passage 20 respectively.

Floor tool 10 includes a pair of sealing members 22, 24 for engagingwith a floor surface S during use. The sealing members 22, 24 may bemade from a rubber material or other synthetic material.

Sealing member 22 is positioned forwardly of the passage 20, closer to aforwardly leading edge 17 of the housing 13 than sealing member 24 whichis positioned rearwardly of the passage 20. The sealing members 22, 24are spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to thenormal direction of movement of the floor tool 10.

In this embodiment, the sealing members 22, 24 are identical and certainfeatures of the sealing members 22, 24 will be described with referenceto the sealing member 22 only. In envisaged embodiments, the sealingmembers 22, 24 may not be identical and only one of the sealing membersmay have one or more of the features described hereinafter.

Sealing member 22, 24 extends away from the floor facing surface 14 andblocks a flow of air towards the passage 20 when it is engaged with afloor surface S. Sealing member 22, 24 is substantially elongate andextends laterally across the floor tool 10. Sealing member 22, 24extends across the floor tool 10 the same distance as the passage 20.The thickness 26 a, 26 b of the sealing member 22, 24 decreases as itextends away from the floor facing surface 14.

Sealing member 22, 24 includes a base portion 25 a, 27 a for engagementwith the housing 13 and a distal portion 25 b, 27 b for engagement withthe floor surface S. In embodiments, the base portion 25 a, 27 a isreceived in a recess defined in the floor facing surface 14 of thehousing 13. The base portion 25 a, 27 a may be fixed to the remainder ofthe floor tool 10 through the use of adhesive or welding or othermethods known in the art. In embodiments, the base portion 25 a, 27 amay be attached by other methods that do not require a recess in thehousing 13. In embodiments, the base portion 25 a, 27 a is connectedwith the housing 13 such that it cannot be moved with respect to thefloor facing surface 14.

Operation of the floor tool 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.6a and 6b which show the floor tool 10 in first and second states of userespectively.

During use, the user will normally repeatedly move the floor tool 10along a hard floor surface S, forwardly in the direction of theforwardly leading edge of the housing (shown in FIG. 6a ) and rearwardlyin the opposite direction (shown in FIG. 6b ). It will be seen that thesealing members 22, 24 move and deform when they are engaged with thefloor surface S and the floor tool 10 is moved along the floor surfaceS.

In the first state, sealing member 22 extends into the planar region 21a forward of the passage 20 and sealing member 24 extends away from theplanar region 21 b rearward of the passage 20. A substantial portion ofeach sealing member 22, 24 (at least the distal end thereof) lies in aplane substantially parallel with the floor surface S when the sealingmember 22, 24 is engaged with the floor surface S. Each sealing member22 thus blocks the flow of air towards the passage through itsengagement with the floor surface S.

In the second state, the sealing members 22, 24 extend in the oppositedirection to the first state, i.e. the sealing member 22 extends awayfrom the planar region 21 a forward of the passage 20 and sealing member24 extends into the planar region 21 b rearward of the passage 20.

It will be seen that in both states, the sealing members 22, 24 preventthe flow of air towards the passage. Air is therefore predominantlydrawn into the passage 20 through the lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b. This isin comparison to known floor tools where a substantial amount of the airdrawn into the passage 20 will be drawn from air forward or rearward ofthe floor tool 10. It has been found that the invention provides asignificant increase in uptake of dirt/debris from a floor surface beingcleaned in comparison to known floor tools.

It will be seen that during use the or a substantial portion of theweight of the floor tool 10 is borne/carried by the sealing members 22,24. The sealing members provide the only or sole engagement or supportof the floor tool 10 on the floor surface S. In embodiments, the sealingmembers 22, 24 provide the primary engagement or primary support of thefloor tool 22, 24 on the floor surface S.

It will also be seen that the sealing members 22, 24 space the floorfacing inlet 16 from the floor surface S during use.

The sealing members 22, 24 provide a substantially fluid-tight seal whenthey engage with the floor surface S by movement/deformation thereof.The lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b and/or portions of the passage 20 adjacentthereto are free of substantial restrictions to the flow of airtherethrough and/or therepast.

It has been found that the cleaning performance of the floor tool 10 isunexpectedly improved by adjusting various dimensions/geometric featuresthereof.

It has been found advantageous for the sealing member 22, 24 to taper incross-section as it extends from the base portion 25 a, 27 a towards thedistal portion 25 b, 27 b, and more preferably for the sealing member22, 24 to have a generally wedge-shaped cross-section. Further benefitsare obtained by having the thickness of the sealing member 22, 24 at thedistal portion 25 b, 27 b being between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, and preferablybeing 0.3 mm or about 0.3 mm.

In embodiments, it has been found to improve performance by having thesealing member 22 positioned forwardly of the floor facing inlet 16positioned further away from a central part of a forward peripheralportion 28 of the floor facing inlet 16 than the distal portion 27 b ofsealing member 24 positioned rearwardly of the floor facing inlet 16 isspaced from a central part of a rearward peripheral portion 30.

It has been found to be further advantageous for the sealing member 22positioned forwardly of the floor facing inlet 16 to be spaced at adistanced of 9.1 mm or about 9.1 mm from the central part of the forwardperipheral portion 28 of the floor facing inlet 16. Similarly, it hasbeen found that having the sealing member 24 positioned rearwardly ofthe floor facing inlet 16 spaced at a distance d′ of 8.7 mm or about 8.7mm from the central part of the rearward peripheral portion 30 of thefloor facing inlet 16 is beneficial.

In embodiments, it has been found that spacing one or both of thesealing members 22, 24 at a distance which is at least 6.0 mm, or morepreferably at least 7.0 mm and even more preferably at least 8.0 mm,from one of the forward or rearward peripheral portions 28, 30 improvesperformance.

In embodiments, it has been found to beneficial for the distal portion25 b, 27 b of the sealing member 22, 24 to be spaced at a distance d′″of between 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm in a vertical direction from a peripheralportion 32, 34 of the floor facing inlet 16 which is defined by thelateral inlet 23 a, 23 b. Further advantages have been found if thedistal portion 25 a, 27 b extends a distance d′″ of between 4.5 to 5.5mm and more preferably extends a distance d′″ of 5.0 mm or about 5.0 mm.

A further aspect of the floor tool 10 will now be described. The conduit38 is in communication with the outlet aperture 18. The conduit 38includes a portion 40 adjacent the outlet aperture 18 which extendsupwardly therefrom. The portion 40 has a substantially constantcross-sectional area. In embodiments, the cross-sectional area of theoutlet aperture 18 is the same or about the same as the cross-sectionalarea of the upwardly extending portion 40. In embodiments thosecross-sectional areas may not be the same.

The upwardly extending portion 40 extends substantially perpendicularlyaway from the plane O containing the outlet aperture 18. It has beenfound that improvements in performance are gained if the upwardlyextending portion 40 extends a distance d′″ of between 10 mm and 40 mm,preferably between 20 mm and 35 mm and more preferably a distance d′″ ofbetween 25 mm and 30 mm. It is most preferably for the upwardlyextending portion 40 to extend a distance d′″ of 27 mm or about 27 mm.

In more detail, conduit 38 includes first and second opposing lateralinternal side walls 42, 44, and forwardly and rearwardly opposingupwardly extending internal walls 46, 48. The upper portion 50 of theforward internal wall 46 extends towards the rearward internal wall 48.The forward and rearward internal walls 46, 48 are connected to oneanother at respective upper ends thereof.

The rearward internal wall 48 includes an opening 52 and the conduit 12has a first end 56 in communication with the opening 52 and a second end58 for communication with the suction source. The second end 58 providesa releasable connection with a wand or hose of the apparatus insertabletherein. Longitudinal axis C of the conduit 12 is inclined with respectto a longitudinal axis C′ of the conduit 38. Conduit 12 is tubular andhas a substantially circular cross-section in the direction it extendsaway from the opening 52.

Upwardly extending portions 60, 62 of the lateral internal side walls40, 42 adjacent the outlet aperture 18 are substantially parallel to oneanother and extend a distance of between 10 mm and 40 mm perpendicularlyaway from the plane O containing the outlet aperture. Preferably, therespective upwardly extending portions 60, 62 extend a distance ofbetween 20 mm and 35 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 30 mmperpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture. Mostpreferably, the respective upwardly extending portions 60, 62 extend adistance of 27 mm or about 27 mm perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.

In embodiments, an upper portion of the rearward internal wall 48 or theforward internal wall 46 may extend towards the other of the forward orreward internal wall 46, 48 as the said wall extends upwardly. Inembodiments, respective upper portions of the forward and rearwardinternal walls 46, 48 may extend towards each other as the walls 46, 48extend upwardly.

In embodiments, it has been found that varying the dimensions of theoutlet aperture 18 and the lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b can improveperformance of the floor tool 10. The outlet aperture 18 has across-sectional area A and in this embodiment the aperture issubstantially rectangular. In embodiments, the outlet aperture 18 may bea different shape, for example, a circle or an oval. The lateral inlets23 a, 23 b are identical and each has a cross-sectional area B. Theinlets 23 a, 23 b are substantially rectangular but in other embodimentsone or both of the inlets may not be identical and/or be a differentshape, e.g. semi-circular.

It has been found that selecting the ratio (A:B) of the cross-sectionalareas of the outlet aperture 18 and the lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b to liein the range of 12:1 and 8:1 is advantageous, and it is moreadvantageous for the ratio to lie in the range of 11:1 to 9:1. Mostpreferably the ratio (A:B) is 10:1 or about 10:1.

Further advantages have been identified in connection with theconfiguration of the conduit 12 which provides a releasable connectionto a wand or hose of the apparatus. In more detail, having thelongitudinal axis C of the conduit 12 inclined at an angle Θ of between45 and 55 degrees, preferably between 45 and 50 degrees, and morepreferably 48 degrees or about 48 degrees, with respect to a plane Icontaining the floor facing inlet 16, provides improved performanceduring use. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis C of the conduit12 is fixed with respect to the floor facing inlet 16. In embodiments,the floor tool 10 may be arranged such that the conduit 12 can be movedwith respect to the floor facing inlet 16 and the tool 10 includes adevice for fixing the position of the conduit 12 with respect to thefloor facing inlet 16.

Benefits in performance have also been found in connection with anotheraspect of the floor tool 10, as will now be described. The passage 20includes a wall 36 which includes the outlet aperture 18. In thisembodiment, the passage includes forwardly and rearwardly positionedwalls 38 a, 38 b which extend upwardly from the wall 36. The forwardwall 38 a has a central part 38 a′ which is generally horizontal and hasa respective lateral end part 38 a″. 38′″ extending from either end ofthe central part 38 a′. The lateral end parts 38 a″, 38′″ taper towardsthe respective lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b as they extend thereto. Therearward wall 38 b is generally horizontal along its entire length. Thewall 36 has a surface area W and the cross-sectional area of the passageis constant as it extends towards the floor facing inlet 16. The floorfacing inlet 16 has an area F.

In embodiments the shape of the wall 36 may be different, e.g. arectangle, and/or the cross-sectional area of the passage may vary, e.g.increase, as it extends towards the floor facing inlet 16. In thisembodiment, the depth of the passage gradually decreases as the passagelaterally extends from respective peripheral portions of the outletaperture 18 towards the lateral inlets 23 a, 23 b. In embodiments, thedepth of the passage may remain constant or vary in a different way tothat of the described embodiments.

It has been found to be particularly beneficial for the surface area Wof the wall 36 and/or a cross-sectional area F of the floor facing inlet16 to be between 3800 mm² and 4800 mm², preferably between 4000 mm² and4500 mm², and most preferably between 4300 mm² and 4500 mm². Furtheradvantages are obtained if the areas W, F are 4430 mm² or about 4430mm².

The volume of the passage 20 can be optimised so as to further improveperformance. In particular, a volume of the passage 20 between 46000 mm³and 50000 mm³ is beneficial. Furthermore, a volume of between 47000 mm³and 49000 mm³, preferably 47500 mm³ and 48500 mm³. More preferably avolume of 48000 mm³ or around 48000 mm³, most preferably 48078 mm³ oraround 48078 mm³ improves performance.

Suction losses during use of the floor tool 10 have been reduced bymaking the floor tool 10 as a one piece component or of unitaryconstruction. This may be done by a moulding process or by other processknow in the art, such as 3D printing. In embodiments, the sealingmembers are connected to the remainder of the floor tool after thatremainder has been formed. The floor tool 10 is made of a relativelyrigid material such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Inembodiments, other materials such as polypropylene, polycarbonate and/ordie-cast aluminium may be used.

It will be appreciated that the features described in relation to theembodiment are necessarily all required in combination in order toprovide benefits/advantages to the performance of the floor tool. Theskilled person would appreciate that one or more combinations of thedescribed features can be utilised without requiring the other features.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features,steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted toexclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, saidapparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including: afloor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirtyair; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; apassage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passageextends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates atrespective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing memberfor engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing memberextends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across thefloor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when thefloor tool is engaged with a floor surface, wherein, during use, the ora substantial portion of the weight of the floor tool is borne/carriedby the sealing member.
 2. A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning afloor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floortool including: a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet forreceiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with thesuction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outletaperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facingsurface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirtyair; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface andlaterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towardsthe passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, whereinthe sealing member provides a primary engagement or primary support ofthe floor tool on the floor surface.
 3. A floor tool according to claim2, wherein the sealing member provides the only or sole engagement orsupport of the floor tool on the floor surface.
 4. A floor tool for anapparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including: a floor facing surfacehaving a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperturefor communication with the suction source; a passage in fluidcommunication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterallyacross the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateralinlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing member for engaging with afloor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from thefloor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface toblock a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engagedwith a floor surface, wherein the sealing member spaces the floor facinginlet from the floor surface.
 5. A floor tool for an apparatus forcleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction,the floor tool including: a floor facing surface having a floor facinginlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication withthe suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outletaperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facingsurface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirtyair; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use,which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface andlaterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towardsthe passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, whereinthe lateral inlets and/or portions of the passage adjacent thereto arefree of substantial restrictions to the flow of air therethrough and/ortherepast.
 6. A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein thefloor facing inlet includes forwardly and rearwardly positionedperipheral portions and wherein the distance between the sealing memberand one of the forward or rearward peripheral portions is at least adistance of 6.0 mm.
 7. A floor tool according to claim 6, wherein thedistance is at least 7.0 mm, preferably at least 8.0 mm.
 8. A floor toolaccording to claim 6 or 7 or 8, wherein the distance is 9.1 mm or about9.1 mm, or it is 8.7 mm or about 8.7 mm.
 9. A floor tool according toany preceding claim, including a further said sealing member, whereinone of the sealing members is positioned forwardly of the floor facinginlet and the other of the sealing members is positioned rearwardly ofthe floor facing inlet.
 10. A floor tool according to claim 9 whendirectly or indirectly dependent on claim 6, wherein the forward sealingmember is positioned further away from the forward peripheral portion ofthe floor facing inlet than the rearward sealing member is positionedrelative to the rearward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.11. A floor tool according to claim 9 or 10 when directly or indirectlydependent on claim 6, wherein the forward sealing member is spaced at adistance of 9.1 mm or about 9.1 mm from the forward peripheral portionof the floor facing inlet.
 12. A floor tool according to claim 9, 10 or11 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6, wherein therearward sealing member is spaced at a distance of 8.7 mm or about 8.7mm from the rearward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
 13. Afloor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a substantialportion of the sealing member(s) lies in a plane substantially parallelwith a floor surface when the sealing member(s) is engaged with thefloor surface.
 14. A floor tool according to any preceding claim,wherein a distal portion of the sealing member(s) is spaced at adistance of between 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm in a vertical direction from aperipheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
 15. A floor tool accordingto claim 14, wherein said peripheral portion is defined by one of thelateral inlets.
 16. A floor tool according to claim 14 or 15, whereinthe sealing member(s) extends a distance of between 4.5 to 5.5 mm.
 17. Afloor tool according to claim 16, wherein the sealing member(s) extendsa distance of 5.0 mm or about 5.0 mm.
 18. A floor tool according to anypreceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) includes: a base portionconnected to a housing; and a distal portion for engagement with a floorsurface, wherein the sealing member tapers in cross-section as itextends from the base portion towards the distal portion.
 19. A floortool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) isgenerally wedge-shaped in cross-section.
 20. A floor tool according toclaim 19, wherein the thickness of the sealing member at the distalportion is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, and preferably is 0.3 mm or about 0.3mm.
 21. A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein thesealing member(s) moves or deforms when engaged with a floor surface.22. A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealingmember(s) extends across the floor tool the same distance or about thesame distance as the passage.
 23. A floor tool according to anypreceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) is generally elongate.24. A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, saidapparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including: afloor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirtyair; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source havinga cross-sectional area A; a passage in fluid communication with theoutlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facingsurface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirtyair, wherein one or both of the lateral inlets has a cross-sectionalarea B; and wherein the ratio of area A to area B (A:B) is in the rangeof 12:1 and 8:1.
 25. A floor tool according to claim 24, wherein theratio is in the range of 11:1 to 9:1.
 26. A floor tool according toclaim 25, wherein the ratio is 10:1 or about 10:1.
 27. A floor tool foran apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including: a floor facing surfacehaving a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; and an outletaperture for communication with the suction source via a conduit havinga longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the conduit isinclined at an angle of between 45 and 55 degrees with respect to aplane containing the floor facing inlet.
 28. A floor tool according toclaim 27, wherein the longitudinal axis of the conduit is fixed or canbe fixed with respect to the floor facing inlet.
 29. A floor toolaccording to claim 27 or 28, wherein the angle is between 45 and 50degrees.
 30. A floor tool according to claim 27, 28 or
 29. wherein theangle is 48 degrees or about 48 degrees.
 31. A floor tool for anapparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including: a floor facing surfacehaving a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperturefor communication with the suction source; and a passage in fluidcommunication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterallyacross the floor facing surface, wherein the passage includes a wallwhich includes the outlet aperture; wherein a surface area of the walland/or a cross-sectional area of the floor facing inlet is between 3800mm² and 4800 mm².
 32. A floor tool according to claim 31, wherein theareas are between 4000 mm² and 4500 mm².
 33. A floor tool according toclaim 32, wherein the areas are between 4300 mm² and 4500 mm².
 34. Afloor tool according to claim 33, wherein the areas are 4430 mm² orabout 4430 mm².
 35. A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floorsurface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor toolincluding: a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet forreceiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with thesuction source; and a passage in fluid communication with the outletaperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facingsurface, wherein the passage includes a wall which includes the outletaperture, wherein a volume of the passage is between 46000 mm³ and 50000mm³.
 36. A floor tool according to claim 35, wherein the volume isbetween 47000 mm³ and 49000 mm³.
 37. A floor tool according to claim 35or 36, wherein the volume is between 47500 mm³ and 48500 mm³.
 38. Afloor tool according to claim 35, 36 or 37, wherein the volume is 48000mm³ or around 48000 mm³, preferably 48078 mm³ or around 48078 mm³.
 39. Afloor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatusincluding a source of suction, the floor tool including: a floor facingsurface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outletaperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluidcommunication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterallyacross the floor facing surface; and a conduit in communication with theoutlet aperture, wherein the conduit includes a portion adjacent theoutlet aperture and extending upwardly thereform, and wherein theupwardly extending portion has a substantially constant cross-sectionalarea.
 40. A floor tool according to claim 39, wherein thecross-sectional area of the outlet aperture is the same or about thesame as the cross-sectional area of the upwardly extending portion. 41.A floor tool according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the upwardly extendingportion extends substantially perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.
 42. A floor tool according to claim 39,40 or 41, wherein the upwardly extending portion extends a distance ofbetween 10 and 40 mm.
 43. A floor tool according to claim 42, whereinthe upwardly extending portion extends a distance of between 20 and 35mm.
 44. A floor tool according to claim 43, wherein the upwardlyextending portion extends a distance of between 25 and 30 mm.
 45. Afloor tool according to claim 44, wherein the upwardly extending portionextends a distance of 27 mm or about 27 mm.
 46. A floor tool for anapparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including asource of suction, the floor tool including: a floor facing surfacehaving a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperturefor communication with the suction source; a passage in fluidcommunication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterallyacross the floor facing surface; and a conduit in communication with theoutlet aperture, wherein the conduit includes: first and second opposinglateral internal side walls; and forwardly and rearwardly opposingupwardly extending internal walls, wherein at least an upper portion ofthe forward or rearward internal wall extends towards the other of theforward or reward internal wall as said wall extends upwardly.
 47. Afloor tool according to claim 46, wherein the upper portion of theforward internal wall extends towards the rearward internal wall.
 48. Afloor tool according to claim 46 or 47, wherein the rearward internalwall includes an opening in communication with the suction source.
 49. Afloor tool according to claim 48 including a further conduit havingfirst end in communication with the opening and a second end forcommunication with the suction source.
 50. A floor tool according toclaim 49, wherein the further conduit has a substantially circularcross-section in the direction it extends away from the opening.
 51. Afloor tool according to claim 49 or 50, wherein the further conduit hasa longitudinal axis which is inclined with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the conduit.
 52. A floor tool according to claim 49, 50 or 51,wherein the second end provides a releasable connection with theapparatus.
 53. A floor tool according to any one of claims 46 to 52,wherein the forward and rearward internal walls are connected to oneanother at respective upper ends thereof.
 54. A floor tool according toany one of claims 46 to 53, wherein respective upwardly extendingportions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet apertureare substantially parallel to one another.
 55. A floor tool according toclaim 54, wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of thelateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture extend adistance of between 10 mm and 40 mm perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.
 56. A floor tool according to claim 54,wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateralinternal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend adistance of between 20 mm and 35 mm perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.
 57. A floor tool according to claim 55,wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateralinternal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend adistance of between 25 mm and 30 mm perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.
 58. A floor tool according to claim 56,wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateralinternal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend adistance of 27 mm or about 27 mm perpendicularly away from the planecontaining the outlet aperture.
 59. A floor tool for an apparatus forcleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction,the floor tool including: a floor facing surface having a floor facinginlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication withthe suction source via a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein theconduit provides a releasable connection to the apparatus; a passage influid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extendslaterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respectivelateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and wherein the floor tool isformed as a one piece component or unitary component.
 60. A floor toolaccording to claim 1 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 (1) including one ormore or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 2and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (ii) 3 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iii) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4);and/or (iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (v) 24 to 26(6); and/or (vi) 27 to 30 (7); and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii)35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11);and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 61. A floor tool according to claim 2 and/or any ofclaims 6 to 23 (2) including one or more or all of the features as setout in any one of the claims:— (i) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23(1); and/or (ii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iii) 4and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (iv) 5 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (v) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vi) 27 to 30 (7);and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii) 35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 62. A floor toolaccording to claim 3 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 (3) including one ormore or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 2and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 3 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4);and/or (iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (v) 24 to 26(6); and/or (vi) 27 to 30 (7); and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii)35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11);and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 63. A floor tool according to claim 4 and/or any ofclaims 6 to 23 (4) including one or more or all of the features as setout in any one of the claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23(1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 5 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (v) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vi) 27 to 30 (7);and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii) 35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 64. A floor toolaccording to claim 5 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 (5) including one ormore or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 1and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3);and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (v) 24 to 26(6); and/or (vi) 27 to 30 (7); and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii)35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11);and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 65. A floor tool according to any one of claims 24to 26 (6) including one or more or all of the features as set out in anyone of the claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3 and/or anyone of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to23 (4); and/or (v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi)27 to 30 (7); and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii) 35 to 38 (9);and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi) 59(12).
 66. A floor tool according to any one of claims 27 to 30 (7)including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one ofthe claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4);and/or (v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi) 24 to 26(6); and/or (vii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (viii) 35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix)39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 67. Afloor tool according to any one of claims 31 to 34 (8) including one ormore or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 1and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3);and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (v) 5 and/orany one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vii) 27to 30 (7); and/or (viii) 35 to 38 (9); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or(x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 68. A floor tool according toany one of claims 35 to 38 (9) including one or more or all of thefeatures as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2);and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (v) 5 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vii) 27 to 30 (7);and/or (viii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (x) 46 to58 (11); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 69. A floor tool according to any one ofclaims 39 to 45 (10) including one or more or all of the features as setout in any one of the claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23(1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5);and/or (vi) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vii) 27 to 30 (7); and/or (viii) 31 to34 (8); and/or (ix) 39 to 45 (9); and/or (x) 46 to 58 (11); and/or (xi)59 (12).
 70. A floor tool according to any one of claims 46 to 58 (11)including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one ofthe claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2); and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4);and/or (v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi) 24 to 26(6); and/or (vii) 27 to 30 (7); and/or (viii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (ix)35 to 38 (9); and/or (x) 39 to 45 (10); and/or (xi) 59 (12).
 71. A floortool according to claim 59 (12) including one or more or all of thefeatures as set out in any one of the claims:— (i) 1 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (1); and/or (ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (2);and/or (iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (3); and/or (iv) 4and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 (4); and/or (v) 5 and/or any one ofclaims 6 to 23 (5); and/or (vi) 24 to 26 (6); and/or (vii) 27 to 30 (7);and/or (viii) 31 to 34 (8); and/or (ix) 35 to 38 (9); and/or (x) 39 to45 (10); and/or (xi) 46 to 58 (11).
 72. A floor tool according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the floor tool is a dry floor tool.73. An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including a floor toolaccording to any one of the preceding claims.
 74. A floor tool and/orapparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with to and as shownin the accompanying drawings.
 75. Any novel feature or novel combinationof features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.